Starting device for internal-combustion engines.



T. VEITCH.

STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINESv APPLICATION FILED MAY 24,1913. RENEWED APR.8,1914.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914 3 SHEETSSHEET l.

WIT/VESSEL 72 2 2%, M

T. VEITUH.

, Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

' 3 SHEETS -SH'BET 2.

WITNESSES VEITOH. STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24,1913. RENEWED APR. 8, 1914.

mggg Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

3 SHEETS SHBET'S.

i 'lfiiiiUliL-fl-S VIEITCH, OF NEW YORK, N. 1

ASSIGNOR 6F ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH A.

STEINMETZ, O3 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STARTING DEVICE FQR- INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

the following is a specification. r7:

i' i present invention relates to devices for starting internal combustion engines,

and more particularly to means for starting an engine by a non-combustible gas under pressure acting directly upon the working pistons of the engine, the flow of the gas thereto being controlled by a valve operated by and in unison with the engine.

it, has been found in practice that starting c-Y s of this type, usually called air farting devices. are objectionable for the 'eason that the engine must be turned over a number of times until it continues to run in the o'rdinarr manner by drawing" cornbustible mixture from the carburc and that a c nsiderable supply of compressed air must be carried along therefore.

Oneof the objects or" the invention is to obviate these defects, and to provide an air star-tin; (lG. lcc which serves at the same time to form initial combustible charges, the air being caused to act upon that piston which is on its woi mg stroke and the comhu 'iblc charge being introduced into that cylinder, the piston ol which is on its suction stroke.

Another objcct of the invention is to produce a device of this character which is simple in construction, cllicient in operation and which can be readily mounted upon or attached to internal combustion engines 01!. any suitable types.

i th these and other objects in View,

which will more fully up ear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the combination, arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter fully described. pointed out in the appended claims :.aig any of the advantages of the inthe many possible embodiments of Specification of Letters Patent.

Easy 24, 192,3, Serial iio. 769,638. Renewed April 8, 1914:.

auo illustrated in the accompanying Patented Nov. 17, 1914,

Serial No. 830,535.

the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l a diagrammatic View of an internal combustion engine provided with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through a distributor controlling the flow of a non-combustible fluid under pressure to the cylinders and also that of the combustible charges; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the top plate oi said distributor; Fig. 4: is a plan view of the valve of said distributer; Fig. 5 is a Vertical section taken through the device for forming the initial combustible charges; and Fig. 6 is a plan view 0 a modified valve.

Referring now more particularly to Figs, 1 to :3, inclusive, the numeral 10 indicates an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders 11, in the case shown in the drawings tour, which are indicated in their order by the numerals l, H, Ill and IV. The engine ding 'annuatically rcpre sentcd in the drawings is ol the four cycle type, its-crankshaft being shown at 12. The pistons of the engine are indicated by the numerals 13'. The several cranks oi the crankshaft are disposed in such a manner that whenever the piston in the cylimh l is on its working stroke, the piston in cylinder IV is on its suction stroke, and vice versa, and \i'hcnerer the piston in the cylinder H is on its working stroke, the piston in cylinder III is on its suction stroke, and vice versa,

Thus far the construction and operation or the parts are well known.

For starting the engine, a noncombusti bl-e gas under pressure, for instance compressed air, is stored in a reservoir ll, which communicates through a pipe 15 with a distributor 16, said communication being controlled by a cock, 17. ,The distribute." comprises a casing 18, closed by a top plate 19, which is provided. with a plurality of discharge openings 20. These openings are arranged on a circle and spaced apart equidistantly, their number corresponding to that of the cylinders, or in other words there are provided four discharge openings, spaced apart on a circle. The said open ings are denoted in their order by the nu- 'mcrals I, 11, IV and III, and communicate through pipes 21 with the combustion chambers of the cylinders, denoted by the corresponding Roman numerals. The communication between the casing 18, to which the pipe 15 leads, and the several ujlir. ders or the engine is controlled by a rotar valve '22, preferably of the disk type. his valve is 'r-rovidcd with an aperture 23, adapted to register surressively in its rotation with the. discharge openings 20. The valve is attached. to a shaft '24, which is journaled in the casing 18 and in a bracket 25, and to which rotation is imparted by the crankshaft ot' the engine by the intermediar v of bevel gears 26 and 527, the former be ing keyed to the shaft 2% and the latter to the. crankshaft. The ratio of these gears is two to one, whereby the shaft "24 will complete one revolution while the crankshaft makes two complete turns. In the top plate 19 ot the distributor casing is furthermore provided a centrally arranged inlet opening: :39, registering continuously with. a passage 9!) in the disk valve 29.. This passage cxtends from the center ol said valve toward its periphery' and terminates at a point which is disposed diametrically opposite to the aperture 2 thereby registering in succession with the discharge openings 20; more particularly alwavs with that discharge opening which is behind the opening wh ch is in alinemcnt at the time with the aperture 23 in the disk valve. A pipe connects the inlet opening 28 with an initial charge forming device 51. This device comprises a closed receptacle 2-32. containin; a suitable liquid hydrocarbon adapted to be filled in the same through an inlet which is normally closed by a plug ill. On this casing is mounted a cross-shaped member 35. having a substantially horizontal passage 36, to one end of which leads the pipe 30 above referred to. while its other end is connected by means of a pipe 37 with the pipe 15. JL conduit 38 extends substantiall at right angles to and from the passage al. and communicates through a pipe 39 with the interior of the receptacle 32, the said pipe extending toward the bottom of said receptacle, but stopping short of said bottom. The passage 36 communicates also through a channel 4-0 with the receptacle 32, whereby compressed air or fluid flows on top of the'liquid hydrocarbon, thereby equalizing the pressure. The size of the mouth of the conduit is adapted to be controlled by a needle val vc -l-1. The operation of this device is as follows: It is to be observed that the valve 22'is rotated as long as the engine is in operation. but. since the cock 1? is turned to,-. its closed position during the. normal operation of the engine. the starting device is rendered inoperative. The valve. however, is rotated by and in unison with thc crankshaft of the engine. the rclatuzn luringsuch that the working chamber of a cylinder communicates n rupees through its respective pipe 21 and the apt-rture 223 in the valve with the casing of th distributor during the working stroke of tin. Jiston in said cylinder. and on the other hand, that cylinder in which the piston on its suction stroke communicates through its respective pipe ll and the passage ill in the. valve with the pipe Ell). When the cu ginc. is caused to come to the full stop. ohviou.- .l v some of the pistons are at or near their upper dead centers and others at or near their lower dead center or in oth r words some of the pistons. when the canine is started. rommcncc oiconlinue their work in; strokes and others their suction strokes.

To start the engine. the cock 1? is turned to its open position. whcrcbv compressed air flows into the casing 15? and thence ilHOHIE the aperture 2 in the valve to that cylinder, the piston of which is to start its working stroke. The compressed air or other non.- mmhustible luid under pressure acts upon the said piston. thereby starting the rotation of the engine. it the same time the rcccptzh cle receives compressed air through the pipe 87 and the channel 40. and the air or fluid. rushing past the permanently open mouth of the conduit 23R. 'l'c ins a comluistihle mixture which is carri d through t... pipe 30 and a pipe 21 into that cylinder. th piston of which is on its suction stroke. i l. the engine is started. the valve 22 is rotated. its aperture 23 being brought into alinement with the. next discharge opening 20 in the series and its passage 29 correspmidiugly in registering position with the. discharge opening (liamelri *allv opposite to the same. Compressed air and coinlmstible mixture. respectively, will thus low into two cylinders. As

this compressed air acts upon one of the pis tons in said cylinders, the combustible charge which has been drawn during the first half revolution of the crankshaft into a cvlinder is compressed. at the proper time ignited, the resultingproducts of combustion acting; upon the piston therein on its lownstroke. After this first ignition has oc curred, the engine continues to run in the ordinary manner by drawing; combustible mixture from the carburetor. The cock 1? is then closed. It is to be observed that as long as the cock 1? is in its open position after the engine has been started. the engine is supplied with combustible mixture from the carburcter and at the same time by the charge forming: device 31, compressed air flowing into the cylinders also. The charge forming device 31 and the air receiv i :an the reservoir 14 do. however. not inajril 'cre with the proper operation of the engine.

It is to be observed that, while herein auxiliary charge. forming device has heen shown and a particular distributcr has been disclosed, any other suitable strruitures can be employed without departing from i 1 a sad vention'which lies mainly i'n the provision of means for supplying a non-combustible fluid under pressure to those cylinders, the pis tons of which are on their working strokes,

and an initial charge of combustible mixture to those cylinders,.the pistons of which are on their suction strokes.

The device herein described has been shown constructed for a four cylinder four cycle engine. Obviously it the cranks on the crankshaft were arranged in another manner relative to each other, the relation between the passage 9.9 and the aperture 23 in the valve 22' would have to be changed accordingly. The same is true if the engine contains more or less than four cylinders. These changes are, however, within the skill of persons versed in the art and, therefore, it is thought unnecessary to go into a further discussion of the same. The invention can be applied to two cycle engines just as well. A valve for a four cylinder two cycle engine is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, difiering from the one above described only in that its passage 29 is arranged at 90 to the'aperture 23 therein.

What I claim is l. The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of ,cylinders, of a. reservoir containing a supply of non-combustible fluid under pressure, a charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, and a distributer connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming device for establishing a communication between said reservoir and said cylinders in succession when their respcetive pistons are on their working strokes and between said charge forming device and saii'l cylinders in succession when their resp ctive pistons are on their suction Strc r5 2. The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of c v'lin 'lers, of av reservoir containing a supply of lltiihtitllllHlStlblG fluid under pressure. a charge harming device con'nnunicating with said reservoir, and means coiniected with said cylintlcrs, reservoir and charge -forming levicc for establishing a communication between said reservoir and said cylinders in succcssicn when their respective pistons are on their working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in Sui-co" ion when their respective pistons are on their-suction strokes.

3". The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a reservoir containing a suppl of non-cuministible fluid under pressure, a charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, and a distributor actua-Itcd by and in unison. with said engine connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming deyice for establishing a' &

communication between said reservoir and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their suction strokes.

4. The combination with an internal cornbustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a reservoir containing a supply of non-combustible fluid under pressure, a. charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, and means actuated by and in unison with said engine connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming device for establishing a communication between said reservoir and said 0 linders in succession when their respect1ve istons are on their working strokes and between said charrge forming device and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their suction strokes.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a reservoir containing a sup ply of non-combustible fluid under pressure, a charge forming device communicatin with said reservoir, a casin connected wit said cylinders, reservoir an charge forniing device, and a valve in said casing for establishing a communciat'ion between said reservoir and said cylinders in succession when their respective. pistons are ontheir working strokes and between said charge forming device and said. cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their suction strokes.

6. The combination with an internalcombustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a reservoir containing a supply of non-combustible fluid under pressur a charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, a casing connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming device-and -a rotary valve in said casing for establishing a communi ation between said reservoir and said cyli ders in succession when their respective p istons are on their working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are-on their suction strokes. v

7. The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a reservoir containing a. supply of non-combustible fluid under pressure, a charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, a casing connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming device, and a valve actuated by and in unison with said engine in said casing for establishing a communication between said reservoir and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in succession when heir respective pistons are on their "on strokes.

8. The combination with an internal coirbustion engine comprising a plurality of :ylindcrs, oi? areservoir containing a supply of non-combustible fluid under pressure, charge forming device communicating with said reservoir, a casing connected with said cylinders, reservoir and charge forming de vice, and a rotary valve actuated by and in unison with said engine in said casing for establishing a communication between said reservoir and said cylinders in succession when their respective pistons are on their Working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in sue cession when their respective pistons are on their suction strokes.

9. The conibin ation with an internal co1nbustion engine comprising a plurality oi? cylinders, of charge forming device, a ca ing adapted to receive a. non-combustibie fluid under pressure provided with a piurality of discharge openings, said openings being in communication with said cylinders, said casing being also connected with said SUC- rharge forming device, and a valve in said casing ior opening sa1d discharge openings in succession to establish a communication between said casing and said cylinders as their respective pistons are on their Working strokes and between said charge forming device and said cylinders in succession their respective pistons are on their suction strokes.

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, of a charge forming device, a casing adapted to receive a non-combustible fluid under pressure provided with. a plurality of discharge openings, said openings being in communication with said cylinders, said casing being also connected with said charge forming device, and a rotary valve in said casing for opening said discharge openings in succession to establish a communication bctiveen'said casing andjsaid cylinders as their respective pistons are on their Working forming novice and said cyi cession their res iective ""okes. 11. The coir nation combustion ensine coinp of cylinders,v or a fluid under pressure provided rality of discharge openings, Silo; being in communication with said c said casing being also connect charge forming device, and a va by and 'n in son with said in s casing i 1' opening said discha oponi in succession to establish 2;. (101.111 L'Hllc'd between said casing and said i their respective pistons are on ing device and said cyliiiiders succe non as their respccsive pistons are on. their suction strokes The con oination with an i, combustion ci a p1 cylinders, of a charg ing adapted to iiuid under pressure provi rality of dischafifge openiu being in couinr i said casing being a so connects i c'iarg 'c ii'orn'iing device and a actuated by and in unison ivi'tl .id on? in said casing for opening openings in succession to estai nication between said cacti ders as their respective Working strokes and l1: seen i. forming device and said cylinders cession as their respective their suction strokes.

. 'tiigncd at New ifork, in the county o1;

New York and State of llevi' York, this as 17th day of May, A. i). 1913, 

